Boiled Pork Soup: Comforting Recipes for Your Sick Loved Ones!

My father isn't feeling well. He became less hungry as a result of this. It can be very upsetting to witness someone you care about struggle, especially with something as simple as eating, because it can make you feel powerless.

I think of food to cheer him up because I'm worried about him.

Making delicious meals for sick family members is a way to feed them and show them you care, support, and love them.

Warm, nourishing meals can help with the healing process and offer physical comfort. For instance, a person with a cold or an upset stomach may find comfort in soups, teas, and light meals.

I'm considering making "Nilagang Baboy, or Boiled Pork Soup." This traditional Filipino soup is made by boiling pork (any cut) until tender and then flavoring it with beans, green onions, cabbage or pechay, and potatoes.

Boiled pork soup, or any simple, well-prepared broth-based dish, can be comforting and beneficial to someone sick. Here's why.

The soup is light but satisfying because the boiled pork releases minerals, proteins, and amino acids. This gives the body the nutrients it needs to heal without putting too much strain on the digestive tract.

People who have lost their appetite are frequently drawn to boiled pork soup's mild flavor and aroma. They can easily eat even tiny portions because it's manageable.

A simple and comforting Filipino dish is nilagang baboy or boiled pork soup. Its robust broth, succulent pork, and crisp vegetables nourish an ailing person. The following is a list of typical ingredients:

Ingredients

Pork

Pork belly (liempo), ribs, or shoulder (about 500g-1kg) for a flavorful broth.

Vegetables

Potatoes (2-3 medium, peeled and quartered)
Pechay (bok choy, optional, about 2-3 bundles)

You can also add carrots, cabbage, and string beans.

Aromatics

Onion (1 medium, peeled and quartered)
Garlic (optional, 2-3 cloves, crushed)
Peppercorns (1-2 teaspoons)
Ajinomoto and Magic Sarap

Seasoning

Fish sauce (patis, to taste) or salt
Ground black pepper (to taste)
Knorr Cubes (pork)
Water
Enough to cover the pork (about 6-8 cups).

Cooking Steps

Prepare the Pork:

Wash the pork and cut it into serving pieces.

Boil and Simmer:

In a pot, combine pork and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat.
Skim off any scum or impurities that float to the surface.

Add Aromatics:
Add onion, garlic, and peppercorns. Simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the pork is tender.

Add Vegetables:

Start with potatoes, letting them cook for 10-15 minutes.

Add pechay last to avoid overcooking. Simmer for 5-10 minutes until vegetables are tender.

Season:
Add fish sauce or salt, magic sarap or ajinomoto, pork knorr cubes, and ground black pepper to taste.

Serve:
Serve hot with steamed rice and fish sauce with calamansi or chili for dipping.

He liked the food I made, and that made me very happy. Seeing him enjoy the food you made for him, even if he is ill, can be touching and satisfying. It's a moment that captures the love and care you put into cooking the meal, as well as the relationship I have with my father.

They might need more energy to prepare meals or cook when ill. Meeting this fundamental need eases their load and enables them to focus on rest and recovery.

Food serves as a vehicle for emotional expression and a source of nourishment.

More than just the food is essential when cooking for loved ones during these times; it's also about being there and sharing a bit of yourself to help them feel better.